Gymnastics Recruit, Vivian to Compete at Olympics
CANBERRA, Australia – Oregon State gymnastics recruit Olivia Vivian (Perth, Australia) is one of six gymnasts nominated to form Australia’s women’s artistic gymnastics team for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Gymnastics Australia will nominate Vivian and two other Western Australians, Daria Joura and Lauren Mitchell along with Georgia Bonora, Ashleigh Brennan and Shona Morgan to the Australian Olympic Committee (pending appeals) for selection to the Australian Olympic team.
Vivian, who turns 19 just before the Games, is the oldest gymnast among the Australians, all of whom will make their Olympic debuts in Beijing.
The team was determined following two rounds of Olympic trials, the first in conjunction with the nation championships in Melbourne in late May, and the final stage at the Australia Institute of Sport over the weekend.
Three-time national champion Daria Joura was an automatic selection after scoring over 120 points in the all-around competition at the trials.
The remaining team members were chosen by head coach Peggy Liddick, who opted for gymnasts who had delivered top performances consistently and had the experience to handle the pressure of a major international competition.
“I feel that we have picked the strongest team,” Liddick said. “The bottom line was their potential to contribute to the team score, and if all else was equal there, we had to go with international experience.”
Australia has never won an artistic gymnastics medal at the Olympics but Liddick believes her team has the talent and depth to create history in Beijing.
“On paper, USA and China have the numbers and will go in as favorites. Russia and Romania are also very strong, but we’re right up there. If we can turn those stats that we have into reality on the day, we’re in contention for that bronze medal.”
Australia qualified a women’s team for Beijing at last year’s world championships in Stuttgart – four gymnasts from last year’s team will compete in Beijing.
The women’s artistic gymnastics qualification round at the Olympic Games is scheduled for Sunday, August 10 at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing.
Follow Olivia Vivian and her journey to the Olympics on her at .
Vivian is the fourth confirmed athlete with direct Oregon State ties who is scheduled to compete in this year's Summer Games. She joins Saori Haruguchi (Japan/swimming), Heinrich Barnes (South Africa/wrestling) and Josh Inman (USA/rowing). Former Beaver soccer star Robbie Findley is also a candidate to compete for the USA in soccer. The Games are scheduled for Aug. 8-24.
